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Tag: Naomichi Marufuji

  • AJ Styles: \’NOAH Match Shows What Triple H\’s Era Of WWE Is All About\’

    AJ Styles is grateful for the opportunity to compete in Pro Wrestling NOAH this week, an opportunity he believes would not have been possible just a few years ago.

    At NOAH\’s Destination 2024 event, Styles will compete against three-time GHC World Champion Naomichi Marufuji. Despite a lofty career in Japan, the match will mark Styles\’ NOAH debut and his first match outside WWE since January 2016.

    Speaking to the press ahead of NOAH Destination 2024, Styles said that his match demonstrates how WWE\’s new era is willing to work with others.

    \”This is showing the Triple H era of what WWE is all about. Because I\’m not the only one that is wrestling in Japan tomorrow night. IYO Sky is also wrestling along with myself. And that just goes to show what Triple His trying to bring throughout the world and WWE. Whether it be in NOAH or somewhere else, having the opportunity to wrestle there, it\’s big for everybody. And it just shows how we were willing and able to work together so that we all can make pro wrestling as big as we possibly can.\”

    IYO SKY In Marigold

    As Styles alluded to in his speech, IYO SKY will be competing this weekend for Rossy Ogawa\’s Marigold Wrestling promotion. The former WWE Women\’s Champion will face Utami Hayashishita at the promotion\’s Summer Dreams event. When asked about the match, SKY was similarly glad that she is now able to wrestle with talent outside WWE.

    \”When I signed with WWE, I didn\’t think I would wrestle in a ring outside of WWE, so I am surprised to wrestle in a Japanese women\’s promotion\’s ring. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart to Utami Hayashishita, Rossy Ogawa, and my boss Triple H.\”

    \"\"

    Opening The Prohibited Portal

    WWE\’s leadership under Triple H has certainly been more open to working with other companies than Vince McMahon. In January, Jordynne Grace competed in the Women\’s Royal Rumble match. The reigning TNA Knockouts World Champion has also competed in WWE NXT as of late and challenged Women\’s Champion Roxanne Perez at Battleground.

    Frankie Kazarian and Joe Hendry competed in an NXT battle royal not too long ago and Hendry made his return to the gold brand this week. The July 9, episode also saw TNA\’s The Rascalz reunite with Wes Lee and set up a six-man tag for next week against Gallus.

    What\’s Next For TNA Wrestling\’s Joe Hendry In WWE NXT?

    Over in TNA, fans have seen the No Quarter Catch Crew bring the fight as Charlie Dempsey defeated Zachary Wentz this week. At TNA Against All Odds, Jordynne Grace retained her Knockouts Title against Taum Paxley and more recently retained against Izzi Dame.

    Josh Barnett\’s Bloodsport has also been getting in on this crossover fun as Dempsey and Shayna Baszler competed at Bloodsport X in April. Baszler, who won her fight with TNA\’s Masha Slamovich, will return to Bloodsport later this month where she\’ll face Miyu Yamashita.

    Naomichi Marufuji: ‘AJ Styles Is Great! I Want More WWE Stars In NOAH’

  • Cody Rhodes Previews AJ Styles vs. Naomichi Marufuji

    The forbidden door reopens this weekend, as WWE Superstar AJ Styles returns to Japan to wrestle a match for Pro Wrestling NOAH. The Japanese promotion shocked the wrestling world last month by announcing Styles would be the next opponent of the legendary Naomichi Marufuji.

    Styles vs. Marufuji is scheduled for July 13 at Destination from Tokyo, Japan at the Nippon Budokan. The dream match will mark the former WWE Champion\’s debut in Noah and the first encounter between the legends.

    Before the crossover matchup, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes spoke with NOAH to share his thoughts on the upcoming contest. He spoke highly of both wrestling legends and also credited Marufuji for inspiring his move set.

    \”…It\’s not hyperbole to say that Marufuji, on the other side of the ring, is how important he is to modern pro wrestling and modern sports entertainment,” said Rhodes.

    “I mean, if you hit the ropes behind another guy, you call that a Marufuji. That\’s a Marufuji forearm. That\’s what I do. It\’s part of my comeback that I have in my own matches.”

    Rhodes added that he\’d be open to having a match against Marufuji in the future. The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion believes Styles will look to impress this weekend.

    \”… I can see AJ Styles, really showing out in Japan.\”

    – Cody Rhodes
    Read more: Cody Rhodes Previews AJ Styles vs. Naomichi Marufuji

    More On AJ Styles vs. Naomichi Marufuji

    Styles and Marufuji have enjoyed an ongoing successful career and are respected amongst their peers. Styles is on the short list of wrestlers who have won major titles in New Japan Pro Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, and WWE. Marufuji is a four-time GHC Heavyweight Champion and is currently on his ninth reign as a GHC Tag Team Champion.

    Both fan favorites have inspired other wrestlers with their accolades and longevity in the wrestling business. This weekend, Styles and Marufuji have the opportunity to showcase why they are still among the best wrestlers in the world. In the previews of their dream match, \’The Phenomenal One\’ has expressed that he wants to tear the house down with his opponent.

    NOAH\’s Destination event is looking to be an event fans will not want to miss.

    Naomichi Marufuji: ‘AJ Styles Is Great! I Want More WWE Stars In NOAH’

  • Naomichi Marufuji: \’AJ Styles Is Great! I Want More WWE Stars In NOAH\’

    AJ Styles may not be the only WWE Superstar competing in NOAH this year if the promotion\’s very own Naomichi Marufuji has anything to say about it.

    The Phenomenal former WWE Champion will wrestle at NOAH\’s Destination 2024 on July 13 against Marufuji. Despite a lofty career in Japan, this match will be Styles\’ first time competing for NOAH. Marufuji on the other hand, has spent close to a quarter of a century with NOAH after debuting in 2000. He is a four-time GHC Heavyweight Champion and was appointed NOAH\’s Vice President in 2009.

    Marufuji Wants More WWE Talent

    Sitting down with Planeta Wrestling, Marufuji discussed the upcoming match with Styles. The NOAH President was excited to step into the ring with the former WWE World Champion (h/t Fightful.)

    \”He (Styles) is a great fighter in every way and one of the best in the world. I want the fans to really enjoy my exchanges during the match with him, and I think we can achieve that.\”

    Marufuji added that he is interested in all WWE Superstars as potential names for NOAH events, but isn\’t sure he\’s ready to one day work a WWE show.

    \”I am interested in all WWE wrestlers. I want to invite several wrestlers to compete in the NOAH ring. To compete in the WWE ring, I think I need more training before that, so I can\’t say I want to do it right now.\”

    Marufuji is certainly interested in doing much more with WWE which would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. The company\’s new administration has been more open to working with other promotions including Rossy Ogawa\’s Marigold, Josh Barnett\’s Bloodsport, and TNA Wrestling. These crossovers have left fans very excited to see what\’s to come and fans can expect much more to come in the future.

    TNA’s The Rascalz Appear On 7/9 WWE NXT, Joe Hendry Wins Main Event

  • Japanese Wrestling Legend Making Boxing Debut in December

    Japanese pro wrestling legend Naomichi Marufuji will be making his boxing debut in December 2021.

    PWInsider Elite has reported that the Pro Wrestling NOAH great will be taking to the ring in an exhibition bout just before the holidays.

    \”Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Naomichi Marufuji is set to make his boxing debut at Kameda Promotion’s 3150 Fight Vol. 1 event on December 16 in Osaka\” PWInsider reported.

    \”Marufuji will face comedian Takayuki Kinoshita in an exhibition bout with two two-minute rounds.\”

    It is not confirmed at this time if Marufuji will be competing in further boxing events, although at this point it does appear to be a one-off.

    It is also not confirmed if fans outside of Japan will be able to see the boxing exhibition. We expect that FITE will be getting the PPV rights, should they be available for the Thursday December 16 event from Osaka.

    Check out the announcement tweet from Pro Wrestling NOAH below: